Caveats:Vacation time: Dec 23 - 7-10 days.

Budget: $5000 (not including airfare)

Want warm weather, cultural activities, good food...want to visit a country/city we've never been to..outside of North America.

have been to: Thailand, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, SIngapore, Maldives,China, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, France.

Any suggestions?

You don't say how many people $5000 is supposed to pay for.

oops...2 people.

I'd certainly consider Bali. It's rainy season, but I always travel around that time and it's never been too bad. The occasional downpour but that's it.

What about Malaysia? You could spend a few days in KL (great hotels at low prices) then chose a couple of other locations - Melaka or Penang, for instance.

Bali has warm weather, good food, and a wide variety of cultural activies. Rainy season doesn't mean day after day of pouring rain...it means higher humidity, some days with occasional rain, and many days with a late afternoon/evening shower. The north and eastern areas of Bali are much drier than the other areas. Interesting how such a small land mass can have

such different weather...because of the mountains I've heard.

bali came immediately to my mind also...myanmar is another...

hong kong also...

nks, you can do VERY well in Bali for $5000 for 7-10 days! Christmas is high season there, though, so many name resorts are already filling up. Same for flights as many students "commute" between Hong Kong or Singapore and the US over the holidays.

For a week+ you could spend half on the beach in the South and half inland in the Ubud area. There are zillions of choices of places to stay in all price ranges. Do a search on this board and you'll find a lot of recommendations.

I've been in Bali every Christmas for the past 10 years and although I've seen some rain, it doesn't necessarily negate the experience. You will definitely get warm weather, cultural activities and relatively good food. (Maybe not as good as Hong Kong or Thailand, though.)

I know this is Asia board but based on where you have already been have you considered Mexico or Central or South America. I would recommend Brazil or Nicaragua. Brazil is a long but overnight flight to and from U.S. but it leaves you more days to vacation. Nicaragua is closer than you think, only a 2 hour flight from Miami or Dalls. Enjoy planning your trip!

Go to the Philippines- it is largely ignored on this board but I think you will be surprised! Your money will go a long way there and its a great time to visit at Xmass time. Read my report on this forum(author BillT) on our trip to Manila and surroundings this year. There is a lot of Spanish influence there. We are going back this Feb/March.

Another vote for Bali - you will not be disappointed.

I'd definitely go to the Bahia region of Brazil(Salvador and surrounding area...incredible ocean beauty and the Iha de Taparica(sp?)...a day trip island on a local ferry(an hour) from Salvador...but since this is the Asia board...ok...let me stop daydreaming about Brazil...then in your situation I would say Bali. Happy Travels!